William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings

William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings (1431-13 June 1483) was an English nobleman who served as Lord Chamberlain under King Edward IV of England. Richard III of England had him executed for treason in 1483.

Biography
William Hastings was born into a family loyal to the House of York, and he loyally served his distant cousin Edward IV of England for his whole life. In 1455, he became High Sheriff of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, and he fought alongside Edward at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross before being present at his proclamation as king in 1461. He was knighted on the field of battle after the Battle of Towton, and he became Lord Chamberlain under King Edward. From 1471 to 1483, he served as Chamberlain of the Exchequer, and he also served as Lieutenant of Calais. After the death of Edward IV in 1483, Hastings supported Richard III of England in his rise to power, but he was later accused of supporting a Woodville attempt to murder the King. He was beheaded at the Tower of London on 13 June 1483.